Socotra: launching a civil component to defend the rights of the archipelago and preserve its biodiversity

The sheikhs and notables of the Socotra Archipelago Governorate announced the launch of a civil component to defend the rights of the people of the island and preserve its lands and its biological and cultural diversity, in light of the violations it has been exposed to since the transitional control over it in June 2020.

The most famous gathering of sheikhs held a meeting on Thursday evening in the city of Hadibu, the governorate’s center, the preparatory committee for the “Socotra National Conference,” in the presence of a group of sheikhs, notables, and social, political, and academic figures from various centers and segments of society.

The attendees said in a statement, seen by “Yemen Shabab Net,” that the “Socotra National Conference” aims to gather the floor, defend the interests of Socotra, and create a civil social framework that organizes efforts and demands the legitimate rights of the island guaranteed by the constitution and the law, and to demand partnership and equality in all aspects of the state. And strive to meet the demands of the people of the archipelago in providing basic services.

The attendees stressed on uniting the voice of the people of the Socotra archipelago through their tribal, political and academic references, adopting the governorate’s issues, following up on its rights with government agencies, and providing services to its people in the health, educational, administrative, roads and transportation aspects.

The statement called for the establishment of Socotra University to enable Socotra citizens to obtain their right to university and academic education, just like the people of other governorates.

The attendees stressed the preservation of the biodiversity and authentic cultural heritage of the people of Socotra, protecting it from threats that harm its unique environment, protecting its lands from tampering and alienation, benefiting from its oil and mineral wealth, creating infrastructure, and encouraging tourism.

The statement called for rejecting differences, bringing closer viewpoints among all components, and preserving coexistence and social peace.

He called on the government to assume its responsibility in providing basic services and petroleum derivatives at official prices like the rest of the liberated governorates, and to lift the siege on the Socotra Archipelago by increasing Yemeni flights, reducing ticket prices, and opening the way for airline companies to alleviate the suffering of citizens.

The sheikhs and notables of Socotra reiterated their adherence to the tribe and its effective role in supporting legitimacy and refusing to compromise it.